Hosting the Holidays - Menu Idea(s)

You know we're all about celebrations and that definitely include the Holidays!

Ooh! Is there a meal any better than a holiday meal? I’m not so sure there is… If you read our holiday hosting blog then you got a glimpse on some of our tips to hosting. If you downloaded our FREE GUIDE for holidays with family then you even saw our recommendations on what your menu should look like and include.

In it we mentioned some of our own favorites and promised to share them with you. These are our go to recipes that are SIMPLE enough for even the newest of home chefs (that’s a thing right?) can tackle easily. 
If you’re looking for gourmet, show stopping recipes this is not the blog article for you friend.

Entree ideas for the holiday

If you are looking for traditional recipes you cannot beat a classic baked turkey (or here in Texas a smoked or fried turkey, but we do not recommend fried for beginners it’s a whole new learning curve), and classic ham. Now, I am not going to share an easy go to ham recipe with you because, quite honestly we are not a ham household so I have no idea what I am talking about in that realm. A turkey though? Now that I have covered for you! My go to turkey recipe is simple, does not require overnight brining, and means you will have a moist turkey to cut into with great leftovers. You can grab it HERE and get ready to wow all your people.
Other entrée ideas that we love incorporating and our families look forward to include: enchiladas, prime rib, baked salmon, brisket (definitely here in Texas), or a seafood paella. ​

Side dishes for your holiday party

If you ask me, sides deserve more room on your table then the entree and definitely steal the show! Depending on your overall guest count you may want more or less. In our home we like a little it of everything and holiday leftovers (especially Thanksgiving) are always a GREAT problem to have so we tend to not hold back with sides. 
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Here are some classics to consider:

• Green bean casserole grab Campbell’s own recipe HERE
• Stuffing: homemade or stouffer’s 
  • The one we love this recipe HERE
• Potatoes: mashed is our favorite with gravy of course.
  • I actually don’t use a recipe for these. I use 1 russet potato per guest, plus a few extra (mainly due to them being my favorite). Wash, peel and cube into1/4 - 1/6th pieces, add to a pot so they are covered in water and boil. The goal is to boil until they are fork tender. Drain, and add them back to the pot with butter (1 - 2 sticks), milk or heavy cream (¼ cup to start, and more if you’d like them creamier), and seaoning. In our home, anything and everything can have garlic so we always include that as well.
  • If you like a traditional recipe be sure to grab one HERE
• Macaroni and cheese: okay, my sister in law wins the recipe for this and I will forever compare anyone elses to her delicious recipe. Since I can’t steal that one, here is an almost as good one for you to test out.
  • Crockpot recipe for man and cheese HERE
• Sweet potato casserole: this one we go back and forth on the type of toppings. Marshmallows, pecans, pretzels and brown sugar are all great options.
  • Recipe HERE
• Rolls: Sister Shuberts have been our recent favorites. We like to get the big bag from Sam’s and save them in the freezer to just pop in and add to any meal. You can grab them or see what type we like to use HERE.
• Cranberry sauce: we’ve tried different recipes, but honestly is there anything that reminds you of your grandparent’s more than a canned jello cranberry sitting on a plate being presented as if it were some fancy concoction? We think not, and the kids love it too! 
  • If you want something more impressive, you can grab my favorite recipe. It’s more of a chutney and is always a hit, find it HERE.

Sweets for your holiday menu

Yum desserts!

Pies are a staple at our family holiday parties: pumpkin, pecan being the most common with key lime, berry and french chocolate silk close behind.
Another regular at our family holidays include cookies and pumpkin roll.
​Grab our favorite recipes in the blog post HERE.​

Don’t forget these at your holiday dinner

Now before we wrap up you don’t want to forget to think through your appetizers and drink options for the event. Our traditional holiday appetizers include cheese ball with crackers, and even though I am a sucker for a great charcuterie board - if there is not a cheeseball it’s not complete. My favorite recipe is one my grandma handed down, so don’t ask where it comes from but feel free to share and enjoy it with your family too! 

• Cheese ball recipe: 3 packages of cream cheese, 1 jar Kraft roko blue cheese, 1 jar Kraft english cheese, garlic salt and your choice of seasoning. Mix the first 3 ingredients together and add seasonings. Form into a ball ( I like to do smaller ones) and place in the fridge overnight. Roll in toppings. 

For toppings traditional is crushed walnuts, but as I mentioned above I like to form multiple, smaller balls. This means you can have different toppings like pecans and cranberry (my favorite), sesame seeds, everything but the bagel seasoning, bacon bits, dill pickles.. You get the jist.

Beverages - it’s such a delicate balance having a variety without overdoing it isn’t it? Smaller events are almost easier - grab a variety pack of soda, a variety case of beer and a great red and white wine option and you’re set! Larger crowds make it harder, as you end up having to buy so many that it’s honestly better to keep it simple. 
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Water, tea, coke (or Dr. Pepper if your Texan), wine/beer and sangria are my go tos. My favorite sangria recipes for holidays are classic or an apple cider sangria. You can grab my family’s favorite one I whip up HERE it is a cranberry apple cider sangria.

Just remember that kids like something too - growing up our mom and grandma always made sure there was a punch instead of tea and it was always a hit. If you aren’t sure how to make a simple punch the ingredients are really easy: sorbet, gingerale or sprite and juice or lemonade in a flavor that pairs well with your sorbet. 

Fall punch: apple cider, syrup (either pumpkin pie or caramel), and a dash of pumpkin pie seasoning. I like to top it with either some sprite zero or club soda to make it a bit less sweet. You can also serve with a cinnamon stick, or rum.
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If you really want to keep things simple grab our traditional holiday menu and grocery list and skip the stress of planning! ​

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Resources
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Listen into the podcast for more tips by visiting Behind the Party

FREE Holiday Guide with week of Timeline, Tips and Ideas

Holiday Hosting Blog HERE 

Recipes and Ideas for Holiday Sweets Blog HERE

Download the sample holiday menu and grocery list HERE

Need a place to host? CONTACT OUR TEAM HERE

​We'd love to chat! Our preferred catering partners can even take care of the meal for you if you want to keep it extra simple.